UN chief slams "terrible attack on civilians" in southwest China

UNITED NATIONS, March 1 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Saturday condemned "in the strongest terms the terrible attack today on civilians at the railway station in Kunming" in southwest China, expressing his hope that "those responsible will be brought to justice."

"The secretary-general notes that there is no justification for the killing of innocent civilians and hopes that those responsible will be brought to justice," according to a statement issued by his spokesman.

The UN chief also "expresses condolences to the bereaved families and wishes those wounded a speedy recovery," the statement said.

Twenty-nine civilians were confirmed dead and 130 others injured after a group of knife-wielding people attacked the railway station on Saturday in Kunming, capital of China's Yunnan Province, authorities said, adding that it was an organized, premeditated violent terrorist attack.

Evidence at the scene showed that the attack was carried out by Xinjiang separatist forces, the municipal government said Sunday.